Abstract

This thesis conducts a close analysis of representations of trauma in sixlate twentieth century novels. I construct a theoretical framework by examiningdebates about trauma and narrative which have taken place in the fields ofhistoriography, social studies, psychoanalysis and literary fiction. By drawing onthese debates, I argue that the relationship between narrative and trauma isparadoxical: narrative is an essential tool, both for working-through and bearingwitness to the trauma, but it can also intentionally or unintentionally be used tocreate an inauthentic version of events.I illustrate the need felt by many late twentieth century theorists for thedevelopment of a narrative form that will be able to produce an effective versionof trauma. This narrative needs to facilitate working-through and enablewitnessing of trauma. However, it must strive to avoid producing a falsifyingversion of the trauma. I argue that it can achieve this by acknowledging its ownprovisionality and therefore highlighting the limitations but also the necessity ofnarrative representations of trauma.I argue that the six contemporary novels I have chosen are examples ofnarratives that strive to develop a more effective means of representing trauma.The novels explore their concerns about trauma and narrative on both a thematicand formal level. The story told in each novel follows a similar pattern of events:in each novel the protagonist is depicted as suffering from the effects of trauma;they all try to evade their traumas by creating falsifying versions of theirexperiences; and they all offered a means of interpreting which will allow them towork-though and, therefore, bear witness to their traumas. Finally, the six authorsutilise their narrative strategies to teach their readers this therapeutic and ethicalhermeneutics which corresponds with contemporary concerns about trauma andnarrative.